Warm-Ups

Skills for Childbirth Educators

What do You Want to Learn

In this activity, you distribute two or three blank post-it pages to each student. Have them write down one question they expect to have answered from these classes on each page.

After they have had a few minutes to write, put out a posterboard, white board or other flat surface with areas for topics. Have at least four topics such as "healthy pregnancy", "coping with labor", "the labor process", "breastfeeding", "medications." Choose a student to begin. Have that student read one of their pages, then let the class choose together which category it should go in. Then stick the page inside the section for that category.

When all post-its have been stuck, point out the most popular categories for questions. Then move into an explanation of the course content and when each topic will be covered.

Why this works:
One of the first things that members of a new group will do is try to determine where they fit in the group, or if they will be accepted as a member of the group. By admitting their questions, members of your class will begin to feel the "sameness" between themselves and other members of the class. In effect, it helps them determine that they are all on the same "side" and can allow them to begin working together comfortably.

Going to the Movies

Split the class into two or more teams (depending on the size of the class). Give the teams 5 or 10 minutes to come up with as many movies as possible that depict a woman giving birth.

When their five minutes are up, have each team share their responses. For each movie they name, have the team give at least one other piece of information about the movie depending on the first topic of that nights class such as:

Did it depict a labor and birth experience that you would like to have? Then move into birth planning.
What type of coping techniques did the mother use? Then move into comfort measures and coping techniques.
Was this a natural or medicated birth? Then move into natural birth theories or techniques, or medications available.
Were there any complications during this labor? Then move into complications.
How did the movie portray giving birth? Then move into cultural beliefs about birth.

Why this works:
By assigning teams, you force the class to work together. They cannot work together without talking to each other, and asking each other questions. Expect this warm-up to lead to discussion within the teams which will build the community of the class. In a small enough class, it may be a good idea to make the teams men and women.

In the News

Contact each participant before the first night of class. Ask them to bring in an article from a recent newspaper or magazine that discusses pregnancy or childbirth.

As the class begins, ask for a volunteer to introduce herself and give a summary of the article she brought. Then ask the class for reactions to the article. If they need prompting to share you may ask them:
How this build or weaken your confidence that you will have a normal birth?
How does this information affect the plans you have made for giving birth?
Does this writer have confidence in a woman's ability to give birth? Why or why not?

This warm-up moves very easily into a discussion about culture specific beliefs and attitudes about pregnancy and childbirth.

Why this works:
First time parents generally read large amounts of information about childbirth as they prepare to give birth. For many of them, there are very few arenas in which they can openly and honestly discuss what they think of different philosophies and theories of birth. By opening the class with discussion about thoughts and feelings about birth, you make the class a "safe place" to share without ridicule. This also gives the participants practice in evaluating what they read, a skill that will prove important as they sift through all the childbirth literature.

You May Also Be Interested In: The Coach's Notebook explains a variety of comfort measures and techniques for childbirth. The Christian Childbirth Resource Directory lists websites, books and organizations all created to help you honor God through childbirth. Birthing Naturally Books publishes books to help you grow closer to God during this special time of life. Find childbirth professionals near you in the Natural Childbirth Directory.

© Copyright 2000-2007 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally

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